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Daily Market Comment

Daily Market Recap -

Updated Each Business Day at Approximately 4:30 pm ET.

The major indices posted a positive end to what was a fairly mixed week as the Dow, S&P 500 and NASDAQ all posted gains on Friday. In economic news, the Fed reported that industrial production surged 1.1% in February, the best rate in four months on the back of strong manufacturing, construction, and energy sectors. The number of job openings hit a record high in January according to the Labor Department, as companies continue to show an affinity for hiring amidst a continued expansion. Sweet crude for May delivery closed up 1.9% at $62.41 per barrel.

The Dow Jones Industrials increased 73 points to close at 24,946. The S&P 500 was up 5 points at 2,675. The NASDAQ came in flat to finish the day at 7,482 as the small caps of the Russell 2000 were also up by 9 points at 1,586. Dow Transports were up 92 points to 10,684, while the Dow Utility Index was up 8 points to 692.

Trading volume totaled 2,530 million shares on the New York Stock Exchange while 1,303 million were exchanged on the NASDAQ. There were slightly more than 2 stocks higher for every 1 lower on the New York Stock Exchange and slightly more than 11 stocks higher for every 7 lower on the NASDAQ. U.S Treasury securities moved lower today with the 5-, 10-, and 30-year yields closing up at 2.64%, 2.84%, and 3.08%, respectively.

Clients with questions concerning this Afternoon Comment are advised to contact Jack Hellige at: 1-800-444-1854 x8641 or (502) 588-8641. Members of the media are advised to contact Gary England at 1-800-444-1854 x1738 or (502) 588-1738.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average saw a little sunlight on Thursday, gaining 115.54 points to close at 24873.6 after three down sessions. Elsewhere, US stocks were mixed as investors continued to contemplate President Trump's trade policies. The S&P 500 fell 2.15 points to 2747.33 and the NASDAQ Comp slipped 15.07 points to 7481.74. The Dow 30 was helped into the green by components Goldman Sachs and McDonald's, shares of which were up 0.8 and 2.2 percent, respectively.

Dow Transports added 18.53 points to 10573.48, while the Dow Jones Utility Index was off less than a point at 684.23. Russell 2000 small caps ended the session at 1576.62, lower by 7.69 points. 813 million and 515 million shares were traded on the New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ, respectively. Decliners outpaced advancers on the NYSE 9 to 5 and on the NASDAQ 17 to 13.

The 10-year and 30-year US Treasury bond yields were recently at 2.83 and 3.05 percent, respectively, higher versus yesterday. April WTI crude edged up 0.4 percent, settling at $61.19 per barrel. Political tensions helped strengthen the US dollar, with gold for April weakening 0.6 percent to $1317.80 per ounce.

-- Clients with questions concerning this Afternoon Comment are advised to contact Amanda Collier at 1-800-444-1854 x8820 or (502) 588-8820. Members of the media are advised to contact Gary England at 1-800-444-1854 x1738 or (502) 588-1738. --

Trade war fears flared up again on Wednesday following President Trump's announcement about sharply decreasing the trade deficit the US has with China via tariffs. The industrials and materials sectors were lower as they are perceived as having the most exposure to trade-related issues. Dow 30 component Boeing was particularly hard hit for the day, with shares off 2.5 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slumped 248.91 points to 24758.12, the S&P 500 lost 15.83 points at 2749.48, and the NASDAQ Comp shed 14.20 points at 7496.81.

Dow Transports slid 184.90 points to 10573.48, while the Dow Jones Utility Index gained 7.10 points at 684.72. Russell 2000 small caps ended the session at 1584.15, lower by 7.90 points. 829 million and 551 million shares were traded on the New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ, respectively. Decliners outpaced advancers on the NYSE 4 to 3 and on the NASDAQ 3 to 2.

The 10-year and 30-year US Treasury bond yields were recently at 2.81 and 3.05 percent, respectively, lower versus yesterday. Weekly data showed US crude supplies rose more than expected last week, but supplies of motor fuel in the US declined more than anticipated, and April WTI crude added 0.4 percent to $60.96 per barrel. The US dollar inched up versus major rivals; gold for April weakened 0.1 percent to $1325.60 per ounce.

-- Clients with questions concerning this Afternoon Comment are advised to contact Amanda Collier at 1-800-444-1854 x8820 or (502) 588-8820. Members of the media are advised to contact Gary England at 1-800-444-1854 x1738 or (502) 588-1738. --

On Tuesday the tech sector pressured US markets, with shares of heavyweights Facebook, Alphabet, and Apple down 1.5, 2.2, and 1 percent, respectively. Dow 30 components Goldman Sachs, off 1.8 percent, and Boeing, off 1.6, led that benchmark in the red. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 171.58 points to 25007.03, the S&P 500 fell 17.71 points to 2765.31, and the NASDAQ Comp dropped 77.31 points to 7511.01. Investors mulled recent White House staff concerns in light of Secretary of State Tillerson's ouster by President Trump.

Dow Transports gained 51.45 points at 10758.38, and the Dow Jones Utility Index added 2.28 points at 677.62. Russell 2000 small caps ended the session at 1592.02, lower by 9 points. 781 million and 616 million shares were traded on the New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ, respectively. Decliners outpaced advancers on the NYSE 17 to 11 and on the NASDAQ 18 to 11.

The 10-year and 30-year US Treasury bond yields were recently at 2.84 and 3.10 percent, respectively, lower versus yesterday. April WTI crude was down another 1.1 percent to $60.71 per barrel. The US dollar was weaker compared to major rivals, helping gold for April up 0.5 percent to $1327.10 per ounce.

-- Clients with questions concerning this Afternoon Comment are advised to contact Amanda Collier at 1-800-444-1854 x8820 or (502) 588-8820. Members of the media are advised to contact Gary England at 1-800-444-1854 x1738 or (502) 588-1738. --

US markets started the week in a mixed mood, with the Dow 30 seeing a double digit decline at the close but the NASDAQ Comp ending at a new record high. Tech led the way on the upside, with shares of heavyweights Amazon and Apple gaining 1.2 and 1 percent, respectively. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 157.13 points to 25178.61 and the S&P 500 fell 3.55 points to 2783.02, while the NASDAQ Comp advanced 27.52 points to 7588.33.

Dow Transports slipped 32.98 points to 10706.93, while the Dow Jones Utility Index was up 3.06 points at 675.34. Russell 2000 small caps ended the session at 1601.05, higher by 3.91 points. 798 million and 566 million shares were traded on the New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ, respectively. Advancers outnumbered decliners on the NYSE 15 to 12 and on the NASDAQ 17 to 12.

The 10-year and 30-year US Treasury bond yields were recently at 2.86 and 3.13 percent, respectively, lower versus Friday. Expectations of continually increasing US output pressured oil prices, with April WTI crude down 1.1 percent to $61.36 per barrel. The US dollar was weaker compared to major rivals. Gold for April delivery gave up 0.2 percent, settling at $1320.80.

-- Clients with questions concerning this Afternoon Comment are advised to contact Amanda Collier at 1-800-444-1854 x8820 or (502) 588-8820. Members of the media are advised to contact Gary England at 1-800-444-1854 x1738 or (502) 588-1738. --

These materials are provided for general information and educational purposes based upon publicly available information from sources believed to be reliable-we cannot assure the accuracy or completeness of these materials. The information in these materials may change at any time and without notice.

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